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Mobile, Alabama to Host the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing, July 31-August 6

May 12th, 2011 - Comments Closed

(COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.) – Mobile, Alabama will showcase the biggest event in men’s Olympic-style boxing action, July 31-August 6, as the 80 top male boxers in the United States converge on the Mobile Civic Center for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing. Yet, the boxing action won’t end there, as the sport’s future stars will compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships, August 2-5, at the Civic Center as well.

“This new event structure provides the boxing fan a unique opportunity to view and embrace multiple levels of Olympic-style boxing, ranging from the future stars of our sport to the elite male athlete vying for a berth in the 2012 Olympic Games,” USA Boxing Executive Director Anthony Bartkowski said. “We are thankful to have a fantastic host in the Mobile Sports Authority as well as a top notch venue, the Mobile Civic Center, which they have provided for this unique sporting event and we look forward to enjoying their southern hospitality.”

In addition to the wide range of boxing action, USA Boxing’s key personnel outside the ring will convene at USA Boxing’s Annual Meeting, August 3-6. The organization’s dedicated volunteers will enjoy the opportunity to attend both the Olympic Team Trials and Junior National Championships while handling pertinent USA Boxing business.

“The USA Boxing board of directors is pleased to offer these three key events to the membership, and we appreciate the efforts of the Mobile Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau,” said Harold Adonis, USA Boxing President. “This opportunity is innovative and provides all attendees an opportunity to celebrate with the best athletes in the country as they embark on their journey to the 2012 Olympics and future Olympics.”

The U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing will be a double elimination tournament showcasing eight boxers in each of the 10 men’s Olympic weight divisions. The 10 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing champions will represent the United States at the 2011 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan in September where they will look to qualify internationally for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

“Mobile is incredibly pleased and honored to be hosting the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Men’s Boxing, the USA Boxing Junior National Championships, and the organization’s Annual Meeting,” added Bud Ratliff, Executive Director, Mobile Sports Authority. “This area has a great sports history and heritage and USA Boxing’s decision to hold such prestigious events here truly validates Mobile as a legitimate sports destination.”

Olympic Trials qualifying began at the 2010 National PAL Championships in October, and continued at the 2011 Armed Forces Championships and recent National Golden Gloves Championships. The champions at those three events will be joined in Mobile by the top four finishers at the 2011 USA Boxing National Championships, June 20-25 in Colorado Springs, Colo., and the 10 champions from the Last Chance Qualifier, July 3-9 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The full list of participants will be released the week of July 10 following the last chance tournament.

The three-pronged event in Mobile will allow the Junior Olympic National Championships participants the opportunity to watch the sport’s current stars vie for a berth on the 2012 Olympic Team, providing great motivation for the youngsters who will likely compete for Olympic spots in 2016. Women’s boxing will make its Olympic debut in 2012, but the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Women’s Boxing will be held in early 2012 prior to their international qualifying tournament.

The event in Mobile will mark the fourth straight Olympic Team Trials for Boxing event in the southern section of the United States with the previous three events taking place in Tampa, Fla., Tunica, Miss., and Houston, Texas respectively.

USA Boxing, as the national governing body for Olympic-style boxing, is the United States’ member organization of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) and a member of the United States Olympic Committee (USOC).